Published 3:04 am, Friday, December 5, 2014

Parents in Plainview and the surrounding area will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Lisa Ramírez speak at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, at the Plainview ISD Educational Complex Board Room.

Ramírez is assigned to the U.S. Department of Education in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education as the national director of the Office of Migrant Education in Washington, D.C. She is also a private speaker, consultant and educator. She grew up in Tahoka and was an administrator in Lubbock prior to her appointment in Washington, D.C.

Her book, "Dulcified: Sweetened by the Education of Life," is a three-time winner of the 2013 Latino Literacy Now's International Latino Book Award.

Ramírez's message to parents, "Because You Matter," will stress the important role parents play in their children's lives and the many different elements that go into building strong families. Childhood and past educational experiences influence views on important parenting topics such as family values and beliefs, communication, physical and emotional health, and the role of education and educators. The parent session that will emphasize how the strength behind your family history can help parents in sharing the dreams they have for their children.

Ramirez will also be speaking to migrant students in grades 6-12 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in the PHS cafeteria.

For the student session, Ramírez will be presenting "Living the Sweet Life."

Ramirez says adolescents today are bombarded with mixed messages about "growing up." These messages come from a variety of different sources including parents, teachers, peers, mass media, technology, etc. But, according to Ramirez, the good news is students have a choice.

Students will be encouraged to interact and verbalize the messages they want to communicate about the direction of their lives. They will also be given the opportunity to consider how different characteristics of their being such as family values and beliefs, cultural competency, education, resiliency, spirituality and service to others can help them become the strong, successful individual they want to be.

Ramírez is not only the daughter of migrant workers, but a former migrant worker herself. In her book, she explains that everyone has a choice. Her life has not always been easy, but through the lessons she learned from working in the fields, a difficult childhood, and education she overcame many obstacles.

Ramírez served in the U.S. Army Reserves and funded much of her education through the GI Bill. She also served as an English and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, assistant principal and principal in the public school system prior to becoming the national director of the Office of Migrant Education.

Plainview ISD is encouraging all interested parents to attend and be encouraged and inspired by her story. Her message is not just intended for parents of migrant students, but for all parents who want to encourage their child to pursue higher education. Ramirez will be speaking in English with Spanish translators available.

The Plainview ISD Migrant Program will be offering Ramirez's book, "Dulcified: Sweetened by the Education of Life," on a first-come, first-served basis in English or Spanish at the parent meeting. Parents will have the opportunity to speak to her after the session and have books autographed.

Light snacks and childcare will be provided. Through community support, door prizes will be awarded to many attendees.